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By: Zbigniew Wybraniec

Tropical paradise. Northern Territory always full of wonders and surprises.

Karlu-Karlu

Here come recollections from some of my travels around Australia. Last trip, little bit more than one year ago: Alice Springs – Darwin Alice – Adelaide - Sydney – Newcastle, and back to Alice Springs. Here are some shots I've done of a few marvelous, unique places and things at NT.

 "Structure at Karlu-Karlu - Devils Marbles. Place of great spiritual meaning for Aborigines

The megalithic complex of great spiritual and cultural meaning to local aborigines is known by Aborigines as Karlu-Karlu. It was named, though, by British conquerors of Australia, Devil's Marbles.

Right in the centre, stands clearly phallic looking - and very antique - megalithic structure much in accord with preserved till now, amongst Aborigines elements of original and natural, very antique traditions, believes and customs. The majesty of this place with eerie, esoteric atmosphere literally radiates out of these unique structures. I could feel it myself - especially at the night spent there during time of the full moon. It feels like there is some, radiating all around this place, mysterious mystical spiritual force, It really feels as a veritable, although enigmatic, spiritual Temple under open sky. Local Aboriginal tribes hold it in very high esteem as the place highly spiritual and sacred Holy Place, sort of a Great Temple. It is one of their holiest “Dreaming Time” places.

Before I spent two days at Tenant Creek I spent one night at Karlu-Karlu, as it is still some 148 km before Tennant Creek, and I was already tired of all day driving... One can spent there a night or two leaving just, A$ 2.80 per night, in the collecting Trust Box. Of course, you need to make sure if you have enough water. There are only Long-Drop Toilets there, but none at all water supply.

Just short time ago, in late 1980-th, Tennant Creek was very active gold mining town. Now, this place still offers some interesting attractions, besides two affordable Caravan Parks and cheapest fuel on the way to Darwin.. Besides Mining Museum and other ventures, just 21 km northward from this town on the way to Darwin there is Tennant Creek Telegraph Station from mid 1800-th when colonial British Pioneers still had to fight-off local aboriginal warriors fighting for their freedom. To me, Though, as the universalist and alternativist, most interesting thing noticed there, besides other technological remnants of this period,  was very well preserved VAWT (Vertical Axis Wind Turbine) serving early pioneers to pump abundant underground water. It had serve them well till quite recent time. Probably this must be one of earliest well preserved factory made windmills of this type in the world.

Tennant Creek and Around - Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

As my time was somewhat limited I did just couple of shots at the Tennant Creek Telegraph Station and Old Post Office, and kept going to prearranged earlier meeting with friends. The meeting was at the charming old timers' town, Daly Waters, with great pub, good cold and cheep bier, great cheap - and unusually plentiful for the price paid - food, fuel, and superb, cooled water swimming pool, with Caravan Park aside. I spent there whole week before finally going to Darwin. My friends said good bye couple of days earlier heading east, to Queensland.

VAWT with water container at Tennant Creek Telegraph Station

The same VAWT in close distance

Pine Creek

Further on, on the way to Darwin, there is also another gold mining town, Pine Creek, some 500 km (or so) South of Darwin. This small town still mamaged to preserve some of its originality and I found some irresistible things to see: the open sky museum, besides the traditional one with numerous old times mining machinery and equipment of which I shot a few pictures.

Old time gold mines' Gold Washer-tumbler                The Battery, Old time gold bearing rocks crasher..       Ores direct into battery equals high efficiency...

                          Old gold mine shaft at Pine Creek                                                                Fascinating charm of an old Steam Engine...

White Ant Metropolis near Adelaide River - 128 km south from Darwin

On the way I made the side turn, off the main road and going part of the way alongside the Old Darwin Way, with another curiosity on the way, Great Termite City. As it was just short time after annual burning off of the overbuild mass of dry grasses, etc, all could be clearly seen. One of these great termite mounds (or White Ant Mounds, as Termites are better known as White Ants by Australians) is at least about three meters tall and with not less impressive size all around. Here are couple of shot of this veritable Termite City-State. And... I can assure you! they aren't the biggest at all. I met with some termite mounds even greater than the ones shown here. Unfortunately, I lost pictures I made of them when my computer crashed and I lost all data.

White ants at the Old Darwin Road

Great White Ants' Maud at close distance

Daly Waters

Below is just one shot from Daly Waters. This charming Norther Territory town accommodated, during the II World War time the biggest American and Australian military airport, partially still in use. At present open-sky military aviation museum.  The rest of great pics from this town and area I lost in the mentioned before, unfortunate laptop crush. Leaving this place after whole week enjoyed there I arrived in Darwin right on time to start work at picking mangos at the mango farm - some 60 km before Darwin at Berry Springs. This great little town is really as highly recommendable, and it is popular with Darwin's cosmopolitan population. It has wonderful crystal clean waters in three great, totally natural, pools to jump into end fully enjoy this Tropical Paradise as one just would wish in such place. What more? All I can say. I can only highly recommend trip to Australia - and in particular to the tropical paradise all around Darwin and at this wonderful Cosmopolitan Citys numerous attractions, too, way to many to mention them all.

Daly Waters Old Post Office and City Hall